32 comments

• 

  AlexTheBeast

  4 years ago

  Great recipe. Can download smartdrv from here:
  http://bios.driverfiles.net/page,show,14572,323...
  reply
• 

  LaLA

  4 years ago

  Why? Windows XP cd IS bootable...
  reply
• 

  seamonkey420

  4 years ago

  except for the upgrade version cds.. plus i like the utilties handy...
  and i usually make custom bootable dvd install disks (i can fit win98, win2000, and winxp with all service packs on one bootable dvd... )
  
  convienent..
  
  peace
  seamonkey420
  reply
• 

  nobody

  4 years ago

  This won't work (i.e yyou will not be able to access files on the hard drive)if the file system is NTFS.
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  4 years ago

  Yes will not work on ntfs.
  
  Wish i saw that awhile ago.
  reply
• 

  seamonkey420

  4 years ago

  updated recipe to state REQUIRES FAT32 partition...
  
  thanks!
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  4 years ago

  and my system crashed so now :( what are my options?
  reply
• 

  seamonkey420

  4 years ago

  what you need now if you have an ntfs drive, is to get an ntfs boot disk... prob be able to use a ms one or find one or make one yourself..
  however, you'll need to be sure to put drivers on it for your cd drive so you can access it to install the os...
  
  hope that points ya in the right direction..
  
  i can search and post some links to a few place if you want...
  peace
  seamonkey420
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  4 years ago

  here is a DOS boot disk w/ ntfs
  http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  4 years ago

  I actually have a question.... and a stupid one Im sure being that I am a beginner...... I know theres a way to create a bootable disk by using a floppy and then copying it to cd by using the DOS. I tried it on my computer I got as far as partitioning the floppy and then I got stuck.... any answers anyone could give me-would be so greatly appreciated cause IM really stuck (and feel pretty stupid by now...LOL) thanks :?
  reply
• 

  seamonkey420

  4 years ago

  wassup.. no quesiton is a stupid one.. unless its stupid.. haha.. j/k..
  
  anywho...
  
  dude.. sorry about the late reply.. but..
  
  in windows, you can't just copy the files.. cuz the boot record is not getting transferred and in dos its a bit more complex...
  
  you have to make an image of the bootable floppy disk, i'd recommend using undisker, its an awesome tool for creating boot disks. my recommendation in creating boot disks/images is to actually create it on an actual floppy and test it... then once your done, make an image of the disk (you can do this in nero, i think but not sure since i don't have a floppy drive anymore kind of a backwards way but works...
  
  open nero, use the wizard to make a bootable cd-rom...
  choose your floppy drive as the image location, then uncheck the box that says clear image file after burn or something to that extent.. basically we want nero to not delete the image it creates of the floppy....
  then add your cd contents you want available when you boot to the floppy.. and burn away
  
  
  or just use undisker to create an image of the floppy and then choose the image in the nero bootable cd-rom wizard..
  
  hehe...
  
  and then your offf!
  
  peace
  seamonkey420
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  4 years ago

  <ul id="quote"><h6>LaLA wrote:</h6>Why? Windows XP cd IS bootable...</ul>
  reply
• 

  Guest

  4 years ago

  If i want to convert a trial version of a program into a fully workable version program.
  what converting program would you recommend?
  reply
• 

  foozbear

  4 years ago

  I have a question and hope i can sort it out before i get a reply but its good to have fall backs. ok I have just changed from a desktop case to a tower case and everything is in and i get a disk is a non system disk. it isnt even reading my ms-dos disk i created in winxp. it seems to be having issues with booting up my new 160gig drive . the cmos is seeing it as what it is. Also i have a second drive that is 3 gig and now the computer wont see it or start up with it. so now im using the original c drive and my cdrom and have 163gig of hard disk that i cant use. can anyone help?
  reply
• 

  eddie57

  4 years ago

  I am not a computer expert but i am having problems with my laptop starting up. This started after I replaced the LCD. At startup I keep getting the message saying "couldn't find NTLDR". Anyway, after I created the bootable cd from the instructions below I got to the part below that says "-now type: CD i386". After I type that and enter I get the message "Invalid directory specified" Anyone know what the problem is?
  
  thanks in advance.
  Eddie :?
  
  <span style="text-decoration:underline">Below is a copy from a prior post from this site: </span>
  
  Installing XP from this Boot Disk:
  
  1. First things first, go into your PC's BIOS and change the Boot Order, so your PC Boots your CD Drive first. Save your settings and put in your bootable XP disk we made.
  2. It will boot to the Windows 98 Setup screen, click Boot with CD-ROM
  3. Once it finishes going though setting up the cd drivers, and ramddrive, it will bring you back to a A: prompt.
  4. If you have to create partitions or format the harddrive do so now.
  5. Once the drives are ready, reboot again with the BIOS Settings as they were and the xp bootable disk in. Again, choose to Boot with CD-ROM.
  6. Once at the A: again, go to the drive assocated with your CD (for example, the e drive) by typing e:
  
  -now you will be at a: e:
  -now type: smartdrv
  -then type it again, it will hopefully show your C drive with disk cache enabled.
  
  The reason i suggest using smartdrv when installing from dos is that it drastically improves file transfer speed and XP reommends it.
  
  7. Now that smartdrv is enabled, we will want to start the installation process. We should still be at the E: prompt.
  
  -now type: CD i386
  the prompt should change to: E:I386
  -then type: winnt
  
  8. This will start the Windows XP installation program.
  Once it gets down copying files, it will tell you that you will need to reboot. Hit Enter to reboot.
  reply
• 

  zapp

  4 years ago

  all the XP cd's I have will seize up your system if you attempt to copy anything off them.
  what's the workaround? [I think someone already mentioned this minor flaw in the recipe, but didn't state a workaround]
  
  zapp
  reply
• 

  zapp

  4 years ago

  question
  i have a copy of a copy of XP Pro. How can i determine for sure whether it is an Upgrade Version or a Retail Version, or an OEM version ????
  
  thx much
  zapp
  reply
• 

  Flash

  4 years ago

  One question...what if your comp has no FDD, then what? Mine dosen't so it's a little hard for me. Any suggestions?
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  4 years ago

  <ul id="quote"><h6>Anonymous wrote:</h6>here is a DOS boot disk w/ ntfs
  http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm</ul>
  
  
  I downloaded ISO boot disk for NTFS but, it is a ZIP archive and inside is RAR archive and there are the files. How to meke ISO in this case? Is it this bootable CD enough to boot, and delete old Windows XP and root before istalling new fresh XP? What is the diference between this CD and CD created by "seamonkey420"?
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  3 years ago

  plz help. my attemp at a bootable xp cd from the 6 floppy disks went wrong
  WHY ? I just want the six floppy's on cd .when i reboot with my cd it runs and must load info from (floppy disk 1) BUT... IT ASK'S ME TO insert floppy 2 in diskdrive A ??? I HAVE DISABLE IT IN BIOS.what am i doing wrong plz. HELP.
  reply
• 

  Eswaran

  3 years ago

  Hi
  
  I've made the bootdisc successfully but after selecting "Start Computer with CDROM support" the cursor blinks without any response.
  reply
• 

  Dave86

  3 years ago

  How would i go about making my own bootable cd with programs that ive added, so on install window theres options to install programs with the OS???
  
  thanks for any help
  reply
• 

  Farrukh

  3 years ago

  All of the above can be done very easily without having to know anything and without having to follow the above directions.. Please use Autopatcher for Windows XP... We have been working on it for such a long time period just to save you from all the hassle...
  
  Download Autopatcher from this link.
  
  http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak...
  
  See what Autopatcher is and how to use it here.
  
  http://www.autopatcher.com/
  
  Farrukh
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  3 years ago

  Ok ... for another stupid question.
  
  How do I create a bootable copy of the Windows XP Installation CD ? I tried using Nero and did a Disc Copy, but it did not work. The computer did not give the "Boot from CD" option even when I have set Bios to load from CD-ROM as the first choice.
  
  Anybody can help here ?
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  2 years ago

  Hey first off I want to say, Thanks this was a great lesson for me and I learned alot!
  I however do have one problem!
  Im working on this cpu i know nothing about it, it has windows 98 on it, it boots in tries to load desktop crashes..iexplore error.
  Anyways made my killer cd, followed the instructions..one step to go...shit...
  Windows xp setup
  
  An internal setup error has occurred.
  Could not find a place for a swap file.
  Setup cannot continue. Press Enter to exit.
  
  Thats what im looking at now...kinda stuck dont know what to do
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  2 years ago

  duh, im a idiot the swap file error came because i didnt have enough space to add windows in the partition so i started over, got back to the A:/ prompt and typed fdisk
  Ive re formatted and now trying to install xp, im thinking cpu might of frozen up so im going to be reading up on some links.
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  2 years ago

  upto "cd i386" it is ok but after that i get an error when i type "winnt".
  It says " this program cannot be run in DOS mode".
  please help.
  thanks in advance.
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  1 year ago

  Seamonkey420,
  
  I have a problem with undisker. I was opening an ISO file and extracting all its contents to a file just as i was extracting the last file. It said "Invalid pointer operation. please help me
  
  
  thanks
  reply
• 

  Anonymous

  1 year ago

  <ul id="quote"><h6>foozbear wrote:</h6>I have a question and hope i can sort it out before i get a reply but its good to have fall backs. ok I have just changed from a desktop case to a tower case and everything is in and i get a disk is a non system disk. it isnt even reading my ms-dos disk i created in winxp. it seems to be having issues with booting up my new 160gig drive . the cmos is seeing it as what it is. Also i have a second drive that is 3 gig and now the computer wont see it or start up with it. so now im using the original c drive and my cdrom and have 163gig of hard disk that i cant use. can anyone help?</ul>
  
  There is not enough information to figure this out, how are your jumpers set on the drives? They should be master and slave when on the same cable, (if it's not cable select)
  reply
• 

  lisa

  8 months ago

  why would i want xp installed to a fat32 formatted hdd?
  reply
• 

  Brad

  5 months ago

  you can make a batch file to run and load smartdrv and change to the i386 drive and run the winnt all with one batch file you can name it start.bat. If you don't know how to create batch files, ask some one. maybe I will create one and inclued it here to download
  reply
• 

  ashish meher

  2 weeks ago

  My C and D drives are ntfs whereas E and F are fat32....so according to step 6, where should i install?? Which drive should i mention after A:\ ??
  reply